The Nutcracker story is a cherished part of many holiday traditions, so what better way to celebrate than a tea party inspired by the classic ballet? A Christmas tree presides over the festivities, a nutcracker rallies his gingerbread soldiers against an army of marzipan mice, and sugar plums dance over taste buds. Watch this magical tea party come to life as the curtain rises and the lights begin to twinkle. Menu Overture: Winter Spiced Tea Act I Candy Stripe Toasts Three Cheese Scones Snowflake Harlequin Butter Spiced Nuts Gingerbread Soldiers Entr'acte: Hot Cocoa with Espresso Marshmallows Act II Marzipan Mice Russian Tea Cakes Sugar Plums Christmas Tree Croquembouche The party begins with a winter spiced tea, inspired by the Chinese Dance in the Land of Sweets. Black tea from China joins with star anise, cinnamon, orange slices, and candied ginger for a brew that is spicy, slightly sweet, and fragrant. Following the tea is an assortment of savory delights to satisfy and stuff. Rye bread toasts striped with red and green pestos and cream cheese are fun to look at and fun to eat. Perhaps the three cheese scones that follow are to blame for the presence of the Mouse King. He wouldn't be able to resist their cheesy decadence and neither can anyone else, especially not when spread with harlequin butter. Before he gets broken by Clara's brother, the Nutcracker had some work to do cracking open the nuts that were spiced and glazed. The gingerbread soldiers appear at the end of Act I to escort us from savory to sweet. Their cakey interiors are laced with black pepper and stiff molasses, an enticing combination perfect for a cold winter cookie. The sweets begin with a cup of hot chocolate with espresso marshmallows, inspired by the Spanish and Arabian Dances. It's a perfect, creamy, and reinvigorating treat. The Nutcracker and his soldiers may have done away with the Mouse King, but there are still a few marzipan mice waiting to be polished off. Better get to them quickly, before they eat all of the Russian tea cakes and sugar plums. As a reminder that it wasn't all a dream, the croquembouche Christmas tree is still standing high above all. Gentle puff pastry filled with pastry cream and finished with gleaming green sugar is the grand finale for this delightful tea party. The Nutcracker is a fanciful holiday tale, one full of intrigue, mystery, and magic. Hopefully this Nutcracker Tea Party has been equally so. Whether you plan on seeing the ballet, participating in it yourself, or simply watching one of the movie versions from the comfort of home, a few inspired treats might be just the thing to bring it to life and give your December a little childlike wonder. Happy Holidays from Bedford Cottage Tea House!
2 Comments
Sally West
12/20/2017 09:29:59 pm
Fabulous!!!
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Lizzie
12/26/2017 09:58:20 am
Thanks, Sally!!
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